CAMDEN, N.J. –
Soldiers and Airmen from the 21st Civil Support Team responded to the South Jersey Port Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, as part of a training proficiency evaluation on May 24.
Every 18 months, the CST must be validated on common tasks, which include identifying threats, the decontamination process and working with civilian authorities in a real world environment to ensure that the unit is ready in event of a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threat.
"This exercise is testing the 21st CST's ability to respond to a disaster or incident involving dangerous substances," said Capt. Jared Feldman, New Jersey National Guard's 57th Troop Command. "Today you'll see them arrive, go to where the threat is, and detect the threat using mobile labs."
Operating out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, the 21st CST relies on timeliness, subject matter experts, and technology to accomplish the mission.
"The work actually starts while they're on the road," said Feldman. "The team prepares calculations based on the limited information they receive, so there is a plan in motion when they arrive at the incident site."
This was the first time the CST has worked with the South Jersey Port Corporation.
"This joint exercise with our marine terminal facilities helps us to satisfy federal regulations," said Jay Jones, Deputy Executive Director and Facility Security Officer for the South Jersey Port Corporation.
"Working with the National Guard has been outstanding, and a learning experience," said Jones.
The 21st Civil Support Team is one of 10 weapons of mass destruction Civil Support Teams that were established to deploy rapidly to assist a local incident commander in determining the nature and extent of an incident, to provide expert advice on weapons of mass destruction response, and to support the arrival of follow-on state and federal military units.